APU Names Aaron A. Dahlke CFO

Azusa Pacific University President Adam J. Morris, PhD, named Westport, Conn. resident Aaron A. Dahlke, CPA, vice president for finance and administration/chief financial officer after a nine-month nationwide search. Dahlke assumes the role effective October 2022. His more than 25 years of professional experience as a corporate finance leader lies in strategic planning, financial modeling, and implementing organizational change for global companies, primarily in the aviation industry.

“I am thrilled that Aaron will be joining the senior leadership team at Azusa Pacific University,” Morris said. “His gifts and abilities, financial acumen, entrepreneurial spirit, executive-level leadership at a large, complex organization, and his genuine heart for our mission align perfectly with what Azusa Pacific University needs in its next vice president and chief financial officer.”

As the vice president for finance and administration/CFO of Azusa Pacific University, Dahlke will develop the university’s financial policies and set the direction of all financial functions, including accounting, budget, credit, insurance, tax, and treasury. The CFO is also the chief business officer responsible for human resources, information technology, facilities management, and auxiliary services. Reporting to the president and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, Dahlke will provide strategic management and overall financial leadership to the university.

“I am excited to join the rich history of Christ-centered leaders at APU. The call from God to join Dr. Morris and the APU community was overwhelmingly clear and I look forward to partnering with APU’s faculty, staff and students to strengthen and grow APU’s financial and strategic position amongst Christian higher education,” said Dahlke.

Dahlke assumes this position after most recently serving as chief financial officer for Aircastle Limited, a company that acquires, leases, and sells commercial jet aircraft with an asset value of $6.5 billion. In this role, Dahlke directed and oversaw all financial activities, planning, and analysis, as well as communication with investors and shareholders. He co-led a strategic planning process, oversaw financial reporting, accounting, procurement, information technology, tax activities, internal audit, and co-led HR, payroll, and benefits. His career accomplishments include increasing cash flow by 113 percent in 2021, lowering net debt-to-equity while increasing the investor base, facilitating effective team collaboration, and restructuring investor relations efforts.

Dahlke is a certified public accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from California State University, San Bernardino.